Chase Elliott’s Fall from Glory: From NASCAR Champion to Forgotten Driver?

Once a dominant force in NASCAR, Chase Elliott now finds himself struggling to keep up with his teammates at Hendrick Motorsports. Once the face of the team and a fan favorite, Elliott has become an afterthought compared to his more consistent teammates. His struggles raise serious concerns about his future and whether he can still be considered an elite competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series.

From NASCAR’s Poster Boy to Hendrick’s Fourth Driver

For years, Chase Elliott was the brightest star in Hendrick Motorsports. He won the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Championship, earned the Most Popular Driver award seven times, and was widely seen as the future of the sport. However, something has changed. While his teammates continue to thrive, Elliott is slipping further behind.

NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck recently pointed out this decline by asking how Elliott went from being the top driver at Hendrick Motorsports to being considered the fourth-best on the team. He even compared Elliott’s struggles to Alex Bowman, who was once considered the weak link but has now emerged as a more consistent performer.

William Byron and Kyle Larson have already secured multiple top finishes this season, showing that they are still at their peak. Meanwhile, Elliott’s performances have been all over the place, causing frustration among his fans.

The Numbers Do Not Lie Elliott’s Steady Decline

The statistics reveal the full picture of Elliott’s struggles. His numbers do not match those of his teammates, and the inconsistency in his results has become impossible to ignore.

While Kyle Larson and William Byron continue to rack up race wins, Elliott has managed only a single victory this season. However, that is not the most concerning part. Looking at a larger sample size, the problem becomes even clearer.

Over the past seventy point-paying races, Elliott has won only twice. For a driver who was once at the top of the sport, this is a massive drop in performance. Fans who expected him to dominate this season have been left wondering what is going wrong.

His results at major events have also been disappointing. His attempt to win the Daytona 500 for the second year in a row ended with a fifteenth-place finish, followed by a twentieth-place result at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

A particularly painful moment came at the Circuit of the Americas, where Ross Chastain wrecked Elliott early in the race. While Elliott recovered to finish fourth, the incident represented the struggles that have defined his season. Even when he has speed, things seem to go wrong.

Once a Closer, Now a Struggler

For much of his career, Chase Elliott was known for closing out races when he was in a position to win. He was one of the best at finishing strong and taking control when it mattered most. Unfortunately, that ability seems to have disappeared.
Even when he has a competitive car, mistakes, misfortune, and a lack of execution have prevented him from turning good races into great results.

His performance at Bowman Gray Stadium was an example of what he is still capable of. He led an incredible 171 out of 200 laps and dominated the race. Fans hoped this was the moment that would turn his season around. Instead, his next races saw him fall right back into inconsistency.

What Is Going Wrong

There is increasing speculation that internal issues within Hendrick Motorsports could be playing a role in Elliott’s decline. Team owner Rick Hendrick recently emphasized the need for his drivers to step up by promoting the Thrice in 25 campaign, which encourages the team to win three championships by 2025.

However, some believe that Elliott may be struggling with either internal team dynamics or personal confidence issues. There is no clear explanation for why he has fallen behind while Byron, Larson, and even Bowman continue to improve.

Many fans have also pointed out that Elliott’s communication with his team seems off. Pit strategy, adjustments, and race execution do not seem to be as sharp as they once were. Whether this is due to issues with Elliott himself or his crew chief Alan Gustafson, the result has been disappointing performances.

Can Elliott Bounce Back at Homestead Miami

Despite his struggles, Elliott has a chance to change the narrative in the upcoming races. The most important opportunity ahead is at Homestead Miami Speedway, a track that has been kind to Hendrick Motorsports over the years.

Key Statistics at Homestead Miami
Hendrick Motorsports has won four races at Homestead Miami Speedway since 1999.
Kyle Larson and William Byron have both won at Homestead, proving that the team knows how to succeed there.
Elliott’s own track record at Homestead is solid, with an average finish of 9.8, including three top-five finishes and four top-ten finishes.

If Elliott can have a strong performance at Homestead, it could be the turning point that saves his season. However, if he continues to struggle, the doubts surrounding him will only grow.

Fans Are Losing Patience Will Elliott Deliver

Some fans still believe that Chase Elliott can return to his winning ways, but others are starting to lose faith. The competition in NASCAR is as fierce as ever, and Elliott’s continued struggles have raised questions about whether he can still compete at the highest level.

The pressure is building as the 2025 season gets closer. The key questions moving forward are

Can Elliott overcome his inconsistency and regain his winning form
Will Hendrick Motorsports continue to support him if he does not improve
Is this just a temporary slump, or is Elliott’s best racing behind him

No one knows the answers yet, but what is certain is that time is running out for Elliott to prove he is still an elite driver. If he does not improve soon, he risks being left behind in a sport that never stops evolving.